Cash & ATM's

[montag89]

Heading to WDW next week. What is your recommended approach to having available cash in the parks? Do many of you still go the route of traveler's checks, perhaps cashing them at the resort as needed? Or are there plentiful ATM's in the resorts and parks, so that you're never far removed from being able to withdraw some more? Perhaps some of you keep minimal cash and use your ATM/credit cards everywhere (e.g., do the counter service restaurants take them?)? Then, of course there's the Disney World pass card or whatever. Is this linked to your credit card and taken throughout the parks?

I don't fear for security too much, but I don't see the sense of walking around with hundreds of dollars in my pocket or left in a resort room safe.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Princess Michelle]

I'm a local so traveler's checks aren't something I've ever given much thought to. However, I keep a small amount of cash on me just for convenience sake. While the counter service places will take Debit/ATM/Credit cards those lines get long enough and I don't want to wait the extra time it takes to run it through and sign the slip, etc. nor do I want to make anyone else wait on me. It's much easier and faster just to give them cash, to me it is anyway. I don't know if the little drink carts take debit/credit cards or not, I never go to them. The resorts should all have ATM machines but the only one I can really vouch for is the Contemporary. I think the parks probably all have them as well but I've only used the one at EPCOT. The ones there are really spaced out. There is one by the DVC Kiosk heading out of Future World and there is one in the World Showcase, I believe it's in the middle somewhere and then there is one outside the park. I also had to pay a $2.00 fee to use the ATM since Bank One is not my financial institution. It's not that much for a one time use but if you use it a lot over the course of your trip that could definitely add up. So, those are my experiences, hope it helps. Oh, almost forgot, yes, if you want charging privilages on your room key you will leave a credit card on file with your resort when you check in and when you use your card to pay for things food/souveneirs, whatever it will be charged to that card.

 

[BriarRose59]

I always take a minimum of cash with me. I just don't feel safe carrying it around anywhere anymore. We charge everything back to our room, but keep tabs on the receipts so we know what to expect on checkout. Your room key is something you always have to have with you anyway. You can check your account everyday on the television in your room also. I would suggest you always do this even if you don't charge to your room. I have caught mistakes and been able to correct them before checkout, which saves time and aggravation when leaving.

Have a great time!

 

[Grumpy92]

Keep a little cash on you. Bank of America ATMs are available at all the parks and the resorts. But I would use your resort id card, which is the easiest. You can place cash or a credit card on your room account when you arrive. The resort ids can be used as a charge pretty much anywhere on WDW property. If you want to check on what you have charged you can go to the FD and ask for a print out of your bill at anytime. The resort usually does not charge your card until the night before you leave.
Plus if you misplace the id card it is easy for the resort to cancel it and reissue a new one in minutes.

 

[Eeyore2142]

I hardly use any cash while there. I charged everything to the room on my key card - much easier. If you want an ATM, they are everywhere and they are Bank One.

 

[Tromba]

Does anyone know if you can get cash back from Disney cashiers (parks, resorts, where else?) when using a debit card for payment? If so, does anyone know the limit on cash back?

Thanks, Art

 

[Grumpy92]

No they dont give cash back on a debit card at the fd. But they will cash a check.